Kissimmee City Commission 2026 Priority Retreat

The Kissimmee City Commission held its yearly priority retreat on January 16, 2026, beginning in the morning and continuing through the afternoon. The retreat reviewed the city's recent accomplishments, updated the city's strategic plan, set top and high priorities for the next 12 to 18 months, and agreed to schedule a separate governance session as soon as possible. No public comment period was held, and no formal agenda or minutes were included in the source material.

Opening & Governance Discussion

• The facilitator opened with a strong contrast between governance and politics, urging commissioners to focus on the city's vision, treat each other with respect, listen, avoid personal attacks, and keep disagreements focused on issues.
• The facilitator warned that recent conflict could slow major projects, drive away developers and staff, increase negative media coverage, and threaten the city's bond rating.
• One commissioner expressed full support for unity, saying the commission is "better together" and should strive to be champions, not just winners. Another commissioner disagreed that the commission was currently functioning as a team and called for blunt but respectful truth-telling.
• Commissioners agreed to hold a governance and policy/procedure session ASAP, likely in January, with the facilitator preparing handouts for that session.

Review of the Past Year

• Staff and facilitators reported a strong 2025: the downtown hotel and convention center moved forward, the Azure hotel project progressed, airport hotel development advanced, the Kmart site was selected for redevelopment, the CRA plan was approved, and the Haven on Vine project became operational.
• New fire department staffing and the fire assessment fee were highlighted; the fee was used solely to add the fourth shift and enhance services, not to balance the budget. The city hired additional firefighters and added an engine company, with 28 more positions being processed for the four-shift model.
• The city retained its Double AA plus bond rating, issued $75 million in bonds, and received the Triple Crown financial designation for the second time.
• Management reported that 80 to 90 percent of the prior year's plan actions were complete or near completion. New senior staff hires, including the police chief and HR director, strengthened the city.

Commissioner Vision & Priorities

• Five-year goals voiced by commissioners included: the downtown hotel/convention center fully operational, the Haven on Vine and Kmart redevelopments complete, CRA progress, airport control tower and customs office completed, a field house built, small business growth, a down payment assistance program, and police MOUs with Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.
• One-year priorities included: completing the North Kissimmee stormwater project before hurricane season, visible progress or ground-turning on major projects, downtown streetscape work, Columbia Avenue road paving, Haven on Vine at 85 to 90 percent completion, and SunRail service expansion.

Strategic Plan Update: Goal 1 – Thriving Economy

• Short-term challenges prioritized for economic development included attracting a downtown grocery store, diversifying retail and restaurants, meeting workforce housing needs, responding to NeoCity competition, providing airport-related infrastructure, establishing a foreign trade zone, and supporting small business growth.
• Actions prioritized by the commission were: Kmart site redevelopment, retail attraction strategy, the field house, expanding economic development capacity, and the South Business Air Park development.
• The U.S. Customs and Border Protection office at the airport was placed on the management list rather than the action list.
• The field house generated extended discussion: it was presented as a self-funding regional sports tourism and recreation complex, modeled with 40 national tournament weekends annually, a 30-year financial projection, and possible P3 delivery. One commissioner suggested an $80 million cap and emphasized return on investment. The commission decided to scratch a separate generic sports tourism strategy in favor of the field house action.

Goal 2 – Governance, Image & Services

• The commission prioritized three actions: developing a legal strategy regarding county collaboration, improving the city's image and reputation through marketing, and enhancing community outreach and communications.
• Charter amendments to remove term limits, require candidate background checks, and adjust commission compensation were placed on the management list with a deadline to prepare for the 2026 election cycle.
• A compensation study for city employees and elected officials was reported as being finalized and would be provided to the commission.

Goal 3 – Downtown & Lakefront

• The commission prioritized downtown Gather & Grow grocery/mixed-use direction, arts and culture expansion, the Skyview Hotel and Condos master development agreement, and a downtown walkability plan.
• The downtown street closure ordinance was moved to management for ordinance revision and decision. The Safe Downtown action plan was declared complete and removed.
• Commissioners discussed the future use of the county-owned library site, including the possibility of a second-phase convention center expansion or a performance/black-box space.

Goal 4 – Livable Community

• Key short-term challenges included low-income families and individuals living in hotels, funding for public safety equipment and personnel, preserving green space, addressing chronic homelessness, regaining community trust in KPD, and expanding technology use for safety.
• Prioritized livable community actions included the library site plan, Festival of Lights expansion, youth programs and activities, and the Mike's Memorial Performing Arts Center.

Goal 5 – Transportation & Mobility

• The commission identified priorities and concerns around SunRail service and hours expansion, aging streets and infrastructure, pedestrian and crosswalk safety, funding for dirt roads, completing projects on time and within budget, careless drivers ignoring traffic laws, and the growing challenge of e-bikes and electric vehicles.
• Transportation actions advanced included SunRail service/hours advocacy and the Thacker Avenue widening project design and interlocal agreement with Osceola County.

Key Outcomes

• The commission set overall top priorities for the next 12 to 18 months: Kmart site redevelopment, the field house, tourism marketing program, dedicated tourist development tax (TDT) funding for Kissimmee, arts and culture downtown expansion, and the Skyview Hotel and Condos.
• High priorities adopted included expanding economic development capacity, the library complex plan, performing arts center, Festival of Lights expansion, youth programs, and SunRail advocacy.
• A second round of facility/service priorities added: U.S. Customs office, foreign trade zone, airport control tower, charter amendments, downtown hotel/convention center, and Connect Kissimmee. High priorities in that round included the airport hotel, airport lease and minimum standards update, fire staffing, commission salaries, new fire station, and annual CIP update.
• Staff was directed to schedule the governance session as soon as possible, prepare charter amendment ordinances for public hearings, distribute the completed compensation study, and use the prioritized action lists to finish the strategic plan update.